CARES Act FAQ: Paycheck Protection Program

The world is dealing with an unprecedented challenge that has impacted countless businesses, including chiropractors. Many hands-on providers are seeing patient visits disappear …along with the resultant revenue. Fortunately, companies affected by the pandemic may have a new financial lifeline.

This blog will explain the United States CARES Act – Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and what you need to do right now to benefit from this tremendous opportunity. We’ll talk one-on-one with accounting industry consultant, Jeff Pawlow, for expert answers to your essential questions.

On March 27th, President Trump enacted the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economics Security (CARES) Act. The historic $2.2 trillion stimulus bill includes a $349 billion paycheck protection program (PPP) that targets aid to small businesses, including chiropractors, dealing with losses resulting from the coronavirus pandemic.

What is the Paycheck Protection Program?

The CARES Act designates $349 billion for general business loans to be distributed under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act during a designated “covered period,” February 15 through June 30, 2020. Borrowers can qualify for up to $10 million in 100% federal government guaranteed covered loans. Under the CARES act, the portion of these loans that is used for allowable purposes will be forgiven.

Who qualifies for the program?

First, businesses and other entities seeking PPP loans must have been in operation on February 15, 2020. Eligible recipients include:

For the purposes of the PPP, sole proprietors, independent contractors, and eligible self-employed individuals are those that are entitled to receive paid leave per the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act. When applying, these individuals must submit documentation that establishes their eligibility (payroll tax filings, 1099s, and income/expense details for sole proprietorships).

Eligible businesses can be precluded from receiving loans through the PPP by certain business affiliations. If the business is affiliated with a larger business (greater than 500 employees), they may be disqualified from participating in the PPP. An affiliation exists in two cases:

One business controls another (or has the power to control it)

A third-party controls multiple businesses (or has the power to control them)

Additionally, the PPP expands eligibility to certain businesses with multiple locations, provided that each location has fewer than 500 employees.

How much are the loans under the PPP?

The maximum loan amount is $10 million, though not every applicant is eligible for that much. There are three methods by which an entity’s loan amount can be calculated:

For entities in business from February 15, 2019 – June 30, 2019: Calculate your average total monthly payments for payroll during the period and multiply it by 2.5.

For entities that were not in business from February 15, 2019 – June 30, 2019: Calculate your average total monthly payments for payroll between January 1, 2020 and February 29, 2020 and multiply it by 2.5.

For entities that took out an Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) between February 15, 2020 and June 30, 2020: You can refinance your loan into a PPP loan. Add the outstanding loan amount to the payroll sum.

How can the loan money be used?

Allowable uses of the PPP loans include:

Salaries, wages, commissions, or similar compensations (up to $100,000 per year per employee, prorated)

Cash tips or equivalent

Employee leave, including parental, family, medical, or sick (excluding family or sick leave under the Families First coronavirus Response Act)

Allowances for dismissal or separation

Group healthcare benefits, including insurance premiums

Retirement benefits

State or local taxes on employee compensation (not including the employer’s share of FICA payroll taxes, railroad retirement act taxes, or other required U.S. income tax withholding)

Continuation of group healthcare benefits during employee leave and insurance premiums

Mortgage interest, rent, utility payments, and any other debt obligations incurred prior to February 15, 2020

Additionally, sole proprietors and independent contractors may use the loan money to cover compensation and income of up to $100,000 per year (prorated).

What if I use the money for a non-allowable purpose?

Loan money used for any of the allowable purposes listed above will be forgiven; loan money used for non-allowable purposes must be repaid. Any balance remaining after the amount used on allowable purposes is forgiven will continue to be a fully guaranteed loan for up to ten years from the date of application.

What fees are associated with getting a PPP loan?

All service fees, prepayment fees, and borrower guarantees are waived for PPP loans.

What sort of collateral or personal guarantees are required?

Loans covered under the PPP require neither collateral nor personal guarantees, if the money is used for allowable purposes.

What is the interest rate on the loans?

The maximum interest rate is 4%.

What if I can obtain credit elsewhere?

While normally SBA loans only go to borrowers who cannot obtain credit elsewhere, for PPP loans, this requirement is waived.

How do I apply for the program?

The SBA and the Department of Treasury have approved thousands of institutions to be authorized lenders for the PPP. You can contact any local banking institution to find out if they are an approved lender, or use the Lender Match, an online tool from the SBA. Additionally, you can reach out to an SBA development center for local assistance in finding a lender.

What do I need to do right now?

Collect your monthly payroll expenses from 2019 (or for 2020 if you were not in business in 2019). Be sure to include and health insurance premiums, retirement contributions, and state employment taxes. You may consider contacting your accountant to help you prepare the application. Click here to download a fillable version. (*Please note that your bank’s application could be different.)

Contact an SBA-qualified bank and ask to speak to a lending officer about the PPP. Determine how quickly the loan officer can help you apply. Time is of the essence.

Final Thoughts:“Strong ships are not built for calm seas”

Now is the time to take action! If you have some extra time on your hands, I’d like to invite you to review the latest ChiroUp resources to help you navigate this new environment.

In order to make ChiroUp’s essential resources accessible to all providers, we are offering an extended trial throughout the COVID crisis. You can visit our website, www.chiroup.com to learn more about what we do — and if a live demo is up your alley, you can request a time in the link below:

About the Author

Dr. Tim Bertelsman

DC, CCSP, DACO

Dr. Tim Bertelsman graduated with honors from Logan College of Chiropractic and has been practicing in Belleville, IL since 1992. He has lectured nationally on various clinical and business topics and has been published extensively. He has served in several leadership positions within the Illinois Chiropractic Society and currently serves as past president of the executive board.

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1 Comment

Lisa Walmsley
on April 9, 2020 at 12:05 pm

So Jeff Powlaws comments regarding government funds to be used for payment to anyone assisting in the process of applying for loan assistance, “the little known fact” comment. Where can I find evidence of this? Companies I have requested assistance from are unaware of this policy.